Vatican's top diplomat blames gay priests for child sex scandal

Updated
May 25, 2011 18:24:51

The Vatican's top diplomat has stirred anger by blaming gay priests for a child sex abuse scandal overwhelming the Catholic Church. Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone said it was homosexuality, not celibacy, that was to blame for peadophilia in the Church. Gay activists, doctors and politicians have condemned Cardinal Bertone's blunt attempt to shift the blame.

ELEANOR HALL: The Vatican's top diplomat has stirred anger in the gay population by blaming homosexual priests for the child sex abuse scandal in the Catholic Church.

Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone said it was homosexuality, not celibacy, that was to blame for the child abuse in the Church.

That has brought condemnation from gay activists, doctors and politicians as Brendan Trembath reports.

BRENDAN TREMBATH: Vatican City is an independent state and Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone is its top diplomat. His title is secretary of state.

In a news conference in Chile the 75-year-old has been asked whether celibacy in the Church could contribute to a higher rate of child abuse. But he's denied any link. Instead he blames homosexuality.

TARCISIO BERTONE (translated): Many psychologists and psychiatrists have shown that there is no link between celibacy and paedophilia, but many others have shown and I've been told recently that there is a relationship between homosexuality and paedophilia. That is the truth. I read it in a document written by psychologists, so that is the problem.

Cardinal Bertone continued, telling reporters that child sex abuse was widespread in society. But this did not excuse it in the Church.

TARCISIO BERTONE: Keep in mind the most important thing is that this pathological illness is a pathological illness that can affect all types of people, with a smaller percentage amongst priests. However, the behaviour of these priests in this respect is very negative behaviour, very serious and shocking.

BRENDAN TREMBATH: Senior figures in the Catholic Church have been trying to contain a child sex scandal, one of the worst to hit the Church in years.

There have been claims of child sex abuse by priests in Austria, Germany, Ireland and the United States, as well as in Australia.

The Vatican has dismissed reports of a Church cover up as exaggerations. The Pope himself has been held responsible. Pope Benedict has faced claims that he failed to take action against priests who were preying on children.

Before heading the Church he was a top morals enforcer and earlier the Archbishop of Munich. Cardinal Bertone has defended Pope Benedict's handling of the child sex claims.

TARCISIO BERTONE (translated): The Pope is willing to find the victims. We don't want to silence this issue but we want this campaign to end.

BRENDAN TREMBATH: Gay groups are furious that Cardinal Bertone has tried to shift the blame for child sex in the Church to gay priests.

Rolando Jimenez is the president of the Movement for the Integration and Freedom of Homosexuals.

ROLANDO JIMENEZ (translated): In much the same way as the Catholic Church had to apologise for the crimes of the Inquisition, or present their apologies - mild, but apologies nonetheless - for their role in the Jewish Holocaust, I have no doubt that in the medium or long term, the Catholic Church hierarchy will at some point have to apologise for this perversion, for this sinister attitude of this Vatican gentleman, Bertone. We believe that there is no element, we are certain that there is no relationship between paedophilia and homosexuality.

BRENDAN TREMBATH: Doctors have disputed the link. So has a Chilean Senator who helped draft child protection laws. In a report by the AFP news service Patricio Walker says "I would like to see the scientific studies he said he has, because I don't share his evaluation." Senator Walker says I have the impression that he is wrong on that point.

The Vatican's secretary of state is not the only one whose comments have not helped defuse the child sex scandal. The Pope's personal preacher recently likened accusations against the Pope to collective violence against Jews.

Father Raniero Cantalamessa spoke in a Good Friday sermon at St Peter's Basilica. The Pope was watching on. Jewish leaders as well as some senior members of the Church found Father Cantalamessa's comment insulting.